Penguins/NHL
Entering tonight’s game vs the Vancouver Canucks Pittsburgh carries an 11-8-3 record as a reliance on the power play and some 3-on-3 overtime wins have inflated that win total a bit.
The Penguins are in a bit of a two-fold situation.
They have won back-to-back Stanley Cups so there shouldn’t any panic in late November, but the mentality of how this roster has been built has trickled back to the 2014-2015 season mentality from the General Manager and it could have long-term implications on the Penguins chances of three-peating.
Pittsburgh’s bottom-6 center situation is what it is but where the Penguins have hindered themselves has been going away from more skilled players in the bottom-6.
The coaching staff is handcuffed right now with Ryan Reaves.
Mike Sullivan is fine with playing Reaves but where a rift is starting between the coaching staff and management To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
While Jim Rutherford doesn’t interfere much in lineup decisions, this is one situation where sources say [hide] he wants Reaves in the lineup every night and there is pretty much a mandate from the GM that Reaves dresses every game.
Against skilled teams, Pittsburgh is basically already playing with 11 forwards for long-stretches in games and if they are trailing, then a reliance on 7 to 8 forwards heightens.
Then there’s the decision since the start of training camp from the coaching staff to favor Tom Kuhnhackl because of his penalty kill ability over a player like Scott Wilson who had strong 5 v 5/60 #’s last season.
Pittsburgh has purposely weakened themselves in going away from more skilled players and the results have been glaring.
Pittsburgh’s top seven forwards regardless of position are clearly: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Jake Guentzel, Patric Hornqvist, Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust.
Rust with just two goals on the season has been snake bitten, but outside of those top-7 forwards, Pittsburgh is dressing at least four forwards on a nightly basis who provide minimal Goal Scoring ability and it’s led to very concerning results.
Over the Penguins last 15 games they have just two goals from forwards not named Crosby/Malkin/Kessel/Guentzel/Hornqvist/Sheary/Rust:
Below are Goals Scored from Penguins Forward Group over Last 15 Games (excluding empty-net goals)
Jake Guentzel
Patric Hornqvist
Patric Hornqvist
Conor Sheary
Sidney Crosby (PPG)
Phil Kessel
Conor Sheary (3-on-3 OT Goal)
Bryan Rust (SHG)
Phil Kessel
Jake Guentzel
Phil Kessel
Evgeni Malkin
Phil Kessel (PPG)
Jake Guentzel (PPG)
To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Penguins have skilled options in the Minors to add different dynamic in bottom-6
— With the trade deadline just over three months away, the easiest fix for the Penguins in the short-term is diving into the farm system to put a more skilled bottom-6 on the ice and see where things go before deciding whether to make an impact trade or not.
And they have candidates who could come in and provide that jolt.
No. 1 on the list is Daniel Sprong.
Sprong is a Phil Kessel type player who is horrid at times away from the puck but the skill level, most notably his shot coming down the wing is off the charts. Pittsburgh’s infatuation with Sprong needing to improve his play away from the puck needs to be toned down.
It’s never going to improve enough to appease coaches, whether he spends two more seasons in the minors or two weeks before an NHL call-up.
One discussion among the coaching staff with Sprong is whether [hide] they can handle having two Phil Kessel type players in the top-9 who can be major liabilities in the d-zone.
There’s also the flooded right wing position, especially with Ryan Reaves locked into a lineup spot every game.
However, for a team lacking skill and a dynamic player in the bottom-6 who can create his own shot and drive possession, Sprong deserves an opportunity soon and when he comes up the shackles need to be taken off and he needs to be allowed to play freely and not be afraid to make a mistake.
— Other candidates who could add more skill to the bottom-6 include winger Dominik Simon. A first line left winger in Wilkes Barre, Simon has 10 assists in 14 games and he’s a strong playmaker who see’s the ice really well. Can create offense for his linemates with the playmaking ability. He’d be an ideal player to put in over Tom [hide] Kuhnhackl as the 4th line left winger to give the line more skill.
— Thomas DiPauli has 7 goals in 13 games, including 6 even strength goals. He’s a proto-typical 4th line caliber of player. Can play all three position and has excellent north-south speed.
— Zach Aston Reese is a favorite of Jim Rutherford sources say and could be summoned before anyone, despite the lack of offensive production in the minors with 2 goals in 12 games. Aston-Reese is a less skilled player than Sprong and Simon, but brings Patric Hornqvist type ability around the net and below the dots. Speed has been a major question mark. [/hide]
So, Marchessault is looked at as a rental for sure on the move. Based on that rental status I wonder if he would make sense as C3. Currently he’s producing like a bonafide 2c (maybe even a 1c) so I’d be curious as to the price. It’s all a matter of whether or not this production is legit and sustainable or will he settle into more of a depth guy as the season rolls on and if that’s the case would he be someone to land short term? Guy would instantly make the team a lot deeper but they don’t… Read more »
I think D is in a tough situation to who he wants to sell the site. Stain or gaydogg
I know I picked up on a tough situation today… trying to reconcile how Kessel has more than double the 5v5 goals than Sid when he’s just a PP specialist! Malkin has more and he’s missed games… real tough to sort out
R we ever going to get a new article
I fear the end is near. It was good spending time with you guys
Ditto
See ya dude. I hope in the next life you understand the game of hockey better.
Jesus, so the Pens lost to Van, followed up with a loss to Boston and then make a huge statement vs Tampa! Now play the cross state rival tonight all while Sid seems to be catching fire and this lazy fucken cuntt can’t muster a single article in all that time. What a pathetic joke this is. D where is the unsubscribe button as it’s not easily located under accounts
Hire back Stain
Premier Hockey Coverage. Enough said.
Seriously, it was good to see a Pens goalie wearing a catching glove.
He could push Zatkoff for playing time if this keeps up.
No chance
Trade Murray
Delete your account.
That’s hurtful
But while we’re at it, Murray and a first for rental J Tavares. Bring Fleury back. Jarry/Fleury tandom for playoffs. 3-peat!!! Fold the franchise next year.
Trade the Russian already
I thought he was supposed to be back in Russia?
What, the Pens lose 2 of 3 without him including one to a team that should be a doormat in comparison and because Crosby actually shows up we should trade Malkin? You’re so fucken dumb
Still on my HIGH after that huge Pitt win.
Fleury gone yet ?
Yes and he still hasn’t played since game 4 due to concussion
Good to see Sid show up.
Sid always shows up and the effort is always 100%, unlike that inconsistent and often injured slug Malkin who rarely shows up. IF HE IS NOT INJURED HE GOES 6, 7, 8 GAMES WITH NOTHING. That is why he wasn’t voted inn to he top 100 of all time he plays when he feels lie it…and he could be the most talented player skill wise in the world. ID BLOCKS shots wins face=offs plays a strong two way game unlike malkin…so bag on 71 will ya
Pitt deserved the win. Great recruiting tool
That Pitt game was pretty funny.
Damn Reaves you know when he plays we need at least 5. It again is all his fault.
Best part is no one is claiming it’s his fault… he is just a noted issue with their depth scoring, the depth is a concern and Reaves was a footnote in the move away from the type of depth they had been winning with. There are substantially better options both with the Pens and in the system. Although if we wanna be stupid about it he was lying on the ice as the pass was made and only Bostons goalie was further away from the play when the puck went in lol
see the main thing that gets me is you have no way to defend your views with out personal attacks but that’s ok. Now on the subject scoring depth, we not getting much scoring from our alleged better players lets worry more about that. Sid gets like what his 6th this year? Again its not just Sid’s play there
is way too much failure to go around including #4 and #59.
I do find it interesting that you feel we should “worry about the primary scoring” first and until then the depth isn’t an issue. Reality is the top lines will sort it out, that’s inevitable. There is minimal to fix there as much as it is having them break out and of course getting Malkin back won’t hurt. The depth will still be a problem once they are going. Despite the perceived lack of attack from the top guys the depth is still their most pressing need. I mean in an article that notes that in the last 15 games… Read more »
Dude can play….Maloni
Actually Lejunk screwed up that goal and Dumo. He needed to slide to the middle there.
Murray should just take his fricking glove off!! Shit is unreal!!!
LOL , nice glove again, Murray!!!
Im thankful that i dont have to pay for this shlt
I’m thankful that I am not American and don’t live in a arrogant country
Us too
Happy thanksgiving. Hope you all have great days with your family. Enjoy the time with them, as it doesn’t last forever.
To Zero and all ex patriots, happy thanksgiving.
Blow it up
Definitely things we keep seeing that are concerning but Nilsson played his ass off and did as much to steal this as the Pens did to give up 4. Could have easily been 5 or 6 for the Pens.
Fucken Pouliot too lol. Fuckk off
Dumo victimized twice now!
Gotta make a move for a 3C so you can drop Sheahan down to 4C. Sprong should be brought up to shoot some life into the bottom 6. Salaries need to go in order to bring in a 3c worth a damn. Reaves will be phased out come playoff time, he’s wasted money.
Bring them all up and sit or cut a few guys just “riding on the bus.”
Gotta trust Sullivan, Reaves cannot play… period. He’s a better skater than some goons so I’d be fine with regular season games vs the Caps and Jackets but he shouldn’t be playing nightly. Sullivan has coached the team to 2 cups, gotta trust him.
Either way moves need to be made to strengthen the bottom six but adding to the bottom six won’t ignite Crosby. It’s only a matter of t8me before Sid breaks out but his October and November factor into some of what people are concerned about early.
I agree Zero-wasn’t a fan of RR trade in the end because he is a situational player, much like other players of his ilk before him. A few things need to change before April-getting the right 3rd line C is a big key!
Reaves’ +/- is statistcally superior to Crosby. Sit Crosby.
Dude can play, this is your camp. No amount of your twisting of your inability to understand stats outside of goals and assists changes the fact that your eye told you dude can play. You made a case for him from jump and it’s hilarious you’d have the nerve to try and twist it. Guy was a small step up from Sestito, another trash player on ice that you wanted in the line up lol. Maybe if he got more than 6 minutes a night these numbers would normalize
I still think the dude can play, but not in the Pens system, not 4-6 minutes per night. If the pens wanted to reconstruct their 4th line identity and spread minutes then I think Reaves would play to his potential. Regardless, the GM apparently wants him in the line up.
Problem is the Pens system has slowly been becoming the League archetype essentially since Chicago started winning cups. Speed and depth, if Reaves finds a place where he can thrive I don’t see them being a legit cup threat.
Everybody is so quick to blame Reaves. lol He has the same amount of points as Hagelin and plays half the amount of time per game.
Lol, it’s amazing people will still defend the move and the wasted ice time. He is what he is, he’s just shy of being a classic NHL tough guy nothing more. Using Hags as comparison isn’t making your case stronger, I love Hags speed and energy plus he can kill penalties but is expensive at 4 million. He’s one of the guys I’d tap on the shoulder to make a trade to improve the team if they can.
Wasted ice time you talking about Crosby? Seriously his all skate are getting really bad out there. I never bash a player I just say what I see. There are no sacred cows. As for Reeves we have enough talent to carry him for his talent and he does have a value I know he may be your MAF to Yoda but get over it. However again there is nothing to protect with Crosby this year because he is a hole out there. By the way anyone seen the save from Murray that we were going to see when he… Read more »
Bahahahaha yes Reaves, whose been nothing more than a 4th line tough guy is akin to a very good starting goaltender. That’s gold! I get why people like Reaves, he’s a good teammate and the fights are exciting but just because you’re unwilling to come to the realization that the game has changed and there is little room for a guy like Reaves doesn’t mean that your comparison will ever come close to any kind of reality. MAF was one of the more valuable players on the roster for years that went through a real ugly patch, Reaves will never… Read more »
Actually if you red it right. my statement is saying you have YODA syndrome to blame someone for no reason (Reaves). My statement also purposes the issues start with your goalie. If his teammates are comfortable with him they will take extra chances and maybe score in a 5 on 5 situation. BTW if you need help improving your reading comprehension maybe contact Stancomplaint.
I have not once blamed Reaves for the teams play… not once, I simply point out that the team has depth issues and he is part of it. I bring him up because of how often everyone feels they needed to defend him and claim that he was much better than he actually is. My specific point on the subject, as it seems to need to be spelled out, is it was not a move conducive to improving the team and the fact that the coaching staff is being told by management to keep him in the line up despite… Read more »
Crosby isn’t immune to criticism either, most do give him shit when it’s deserving. He has drawn three penalties tonight which is good but hasn’t looked like he’s taken that next step so far. Murray’s numbers so far this year, very Fleuryesque overall, the team as a whole hasn’t been terrific so take it for what it’s worth.
Agreed ZERO Crosby should be criticized when taking stupid penalties..which he has gotten away from until recently. SID PLAYS WITH HEART AND COMPASSION. THATS WHY HE IS THE BEST OVERALL PLAYER IN THE GAME. WHO kills me is Malkin maybe the most skillful in the world, yet so often he isn’t charged up, makes horrible passes and give always, and is just isnt consistent. ill say it again the reason he wasn’t voted in to the top 100 of all time is his heart, character and consistency. HE DOESNT HAVE THE MOTOR THAT CROSBY, TOEWS, OVECHKIN,, MESSIER &GRETZKY BACK IN… Read more »
Malkin has done as much to carry this team as OV ever has for Washington and he is a significantly better player than Toews. Malkin being left off that list for a half dozen hawks is a travesty.
You’re also missing the point if the current chain. Someone said Reaves plus/minus was better than Crosby as if that was some kind of barometer of value.
How do you propose we get said WBS players to Pittsburgh? We would have to trade or put someone on waivers. Maybe if Malkin gets put on IR. But even then we still have archibald, Kuhnhackl or rowney as an extra forward
Archibald, Kuhnhackl, or Rowney can be put on waivers.
look who woke up
Good morning Rumplestiltskin